Early voting be damned, every election season around this time, we take a few moments to look over the ballot and let everyone know what the folks at Scattershot are thinking about the important issues of the day.
In addition to the presidential election and a raft of down-ballot legislative campaigns, California has a whole host of ballot initiatives in the offing this fall, including measures to protect farm animals from "inhumane" treatment, to construct a high-speed SF--to-LA rail line and to protect the institution of marriage (and by that I mean to protect it from being usurped by the religious Right and fearful, intolerant little bigots).
So, here's how Scattershot is going to vote in the California General, beginning with the propositions:
1A - Yes. This measure proposes to pass nearly $10-billion in general obligation bonds to fund a high-speed rail line connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco. Despite the fact that the whole line -- plus five proposed auxiliary segments -- will bypass the Central Coast completely, I'm a strong proponent of rail travel, and the sooner we begin with "big-picture infrastructure," the sooner we'll get down to building a real, statewide, station-to-station rail system. Read more here and here.
2 -- Yes. Be kind to animals, even if your ultimate intention is to eat them. More here, here and here.
3 -- Yes. Be kind to children, even if your ultimate intention is to eat them. Hah! Just kidding! Proposition 3 is yet another bond measure, this one for $980-million towards the construction, expansion, repair and maintenance of children's hospitals throughout the state. While the long-term costs could approach $2-billion if the funds aren't paid off until maturity, is still seems as if this legislation has good upside potential in improvements to the accessibility and quality of health care for young people. For more information, try here, here and here.
4 -- Yes. California's Prop. 4, the Abortion Waiting Period and Parental Notification Initiative, is by far -- including Prop Hate -- the diciest initiative on the ballot. This measure would "prohibit abortion for unemancipated minors until 48 hours after physician notifies minor’s parent, legal guardian or, if parental abuse has been reported, an alternative adult family member." In other words, girls under the age of 18 would need the permission of a parent or guardian to get an abortion.
Simple enough, it would seem, but opponents of this measure argue that not all family situations are equal to the ideal. "Some teenagers can't go to their parents because they fear being kicked out of the house, beaten, or worse;" "Prop 4 may force these teens to delay medical care or turn to self-induced abortions..." ; "If a teen chooses to go to another adult, her parents would automatically be reported to authorities and an investigation would ensue."
Still, my feeling on this matter is that the role of the parent is paramount. That's not to say we shouldn't give kids in more complicated situations alternatives, including counseling, guardianship and ultimate refuge in a safe environment, but I think this measure is too sweeping and would likely be ruled unconstitutional at that.
For more on Prop 4, see here, here and here.
In addition to the presidential election and a raft of down-ballot legislative campaigns, California has a whole host of ballot initiatives in the offing this fall, including measures to protect farm animals from "inhumane" treatment, to construct a high-speed SF--to-LA rail line and to protect the institution of marriage (and by that I mean to protect it from being usurped by the religious Right and fearful, intolerant little bigots).
So, here's how Scattershot is going to vote in the California General, beginning with the propositions:
1A - Yes. This measure proposes to pass nearly $10-billion in general obligation bonds to fund a high-speed rail line connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco. Despite the fact that the whole line -- plus five proposed auxiliary segments -- will bypass the Central Coast completely, I'm a strong proponent of rail travel, and the sooner we begin with "big-picture infrastructure," the sooner we'll get down to building a real, statewide, station-to-station rail system. Read more here and here.
2 -- Yes. Be kind to animals, even if your ultimate intention is to eat them. More here, here and here.
3 -- Yes. Be kind to children, even if your ultimate intention is to eat them. Hah! Just kidding! Proposition 3 is yet another bond measure, this one for $980-million towards the construction, expansion, repair and maintenance of children's hospitals throughout the state. While the long-term costs could approach $2-billion if the funds aren't paid off until maturity, is still seems as if this legislation has good upside potential in improvements to the accessibility and quality of health care for young people. For more information, try here, here and here.
4 -- Yes. California's Prop. 4, the Abortion Waiting Period and Parental Notification Initiative, is by far -- including Prop Hate -- the diciest initiative on the ballot. This measure would "prohibit abortion for unemancipated minors until 48 hours after physician notifies minor’s parent, legal guardian or, if parental abuse has been reported, an alternative adult family member." In other words, girls under the age of 18 would need the permission of a parent or guardian to get an abortion.
Simple enough, it would seem, but opponents of this measure argue that not all family situations are equal to the ideal. "Some teenagers can't go to their parents because they fear being kicked out of the house, beaten, or worse;" "Prop 4 may force these teens to delay medical care or turn to self-induced abortions..." ; "If a teen chooses to go to another adult, her parents would automatically be reported to authorities and an investigation would ensue."
Still, my feeling on this matter is that the role of the parent is paramount. That's not to say we shouldn't give kids in more complicated situations alternatives, including counseling, guardianship and ultimate refuge in a safe environment, but I think this measure is too sweeping and would likely be ruled unconstitutional at that.
For more on Prop 4, see here, here and here.
1A- $10 BILLION not million. Lot of coin for a very vague proposal. Don't know if that changes yer endorsement or not. Mass transit is a good thing. I would love to live a life without having to drive a fuckin' car every day. I'm not sure this is the right way to kick it off. Too many loose ends for me.
ReplyDeleteFair enough. Like I say, the darn thing doesn't even come close to where I live, but we gotta start somewhere. You're right with me on these, Big, because I was changing the [m]illion to a [b]illion while you were posting your comment.
ReplyDelete